This book offers a unique comparative assessment of the evolution of immigration detention systems in European Union member states since the onset of the “refugee crisis.” By applying an analytical framework premised on international human rights law in assessing domestic detention regimes, the book reveals the extent to which EU legislation has led to the adoption of laws and practices that may disregard fundamental rights and standards. […]
Belgium
Belgium Immigration Detention Data Profile (2020)
Belgium Detention Data (2020) The latest detention-related data from Belgium, including immigration and detention-related statistics, domestic laws and policies, international law, and institutional indicators. View the Belgium Detention Data Profile Related Reading: Belgium: Country Page Report: Immigration Detention in Belgium: Covid-19 Puts the Breaks on an Expanding Detention System Book: Immigration Detention in the European […]

Immigration Detention of Children and Adequate Reception and Care
Global Detention Project Response to Questionnaire of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants 15 May 2020 The Global Detention Project (GDP) completed a questionnaire for the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants concerning his thematic study on immigration detention of children. Questions addressed included: 1. Information on laws or policies […]

Immigration Detention in Belgium: Covid-19 Puts the Brakes on an Expanding Detention System
Belgium has adopted increasingly hardening immigration and asylum policies, including an expansion of its detention system. But the Covid-19 crisis has spurred the country to temporarily reduce its immigration detention capacity by half, to some 300 beds, while the Immigration Office has temporarily halted the registration of new asylum seekers. In 2017, the government back-peddled on an earlier commitment to stop detaining children when it opened new “family units” inside detention centres. […]

Immigration Detention of Children: Coming to a Close?
Immigration Detention of Children: Coming to a Close? The GDPs Michael Flynn participated in this two-day conference co-hosted by the Council of Europe and the Czech Ministry of Justice (25-26 September 2017). “Are There ‘Alternatives’ for Children?” By Michael Flynn Summary: Is it possible to develop “alternatives to detention” in a way that does not […]

Immigration detention in Belgium
Belgium has long received scrutiny for its immigration control policies, in particular its controversial use of forced deportation flights. However, the numbers of people placed in detention annually has declined substantially during the past 15 years, even as the detention of asylum seekers at borders has increased. The country has also pioneered the promotion of […]
